No to Nuclear

OTTAWA -- According to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)(Canada’s nuclear watchdog) over 200 workers were exposed to high levels of alpha radiation while refurbishing a reactor at the privately owned Bruce nuclear power station in November 2009. This is the largest radioactive contamination in Canadian history at a power plant. The reactor where the incident occurred has been mothballed since 1997.

All radiation is cumulative, nuclear workers are allowed to be exposed to much higher levels of radiation than the general population. There is very little data or study done on nuclear energy workers to understand the long term effects of their employment in this dangerous industry. Exposure to alpha radiation does pose a risk of cancer and according to preliminary dose calculations done by the CNSC, “action level for inhalation of airborne radioactivity may have been exceeded” during this incident.

"For those who think we safely store all nuclear fuel this is a reminder that nuclear energy is dangerous from the day it is installed and for many generations thereafter,” said Green Party Natural Resources Critic Cathy MacLellan. “Nuclear energy is neither a safe nor cost effective way to power our homes.  It is a government welfare industry that is steeped in secrecy. Bruce A lasted less than half of its expected lifetime and is currently getting refurbished. The price tag for this is $5.25 billion.”

"There is no safe dose for ionizing radiation. This exposure is very worrying. We urge the CNSC to revamp procedures and ensure those operating nuclear plants guard against believing their own safety propaganda."

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Debra Eindiguer
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C: 613.240.8921
media@greenparty.ca
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